(Press release)

WACO, TEXAS December 18, 2008 -- Drawing from the rare, one-of-a-kind recordings of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project (BGMRP), KWBU-FM will present “A Black Gospel Christmas Jubilee” Sunday, December 21st at 8pm. The one-hour special will feature more than a dozen Christmas-related black gospel songs and spirituals by Mahalia Jackson, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Marion Williams, The Pilgrim Travelers, Odetta, and others.

“A Black Gospel Christmas Jubilee” on KWBU-FM is hosted by Robert and Mary Darden. Robert Darden is co-founder of the BGMRP and is an Associate Professor of Journalism at Baylor University. Dr. Mary Darden is a higher education consultant and author.

Robert said that the idea for the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project was born while he was writing his book, People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music.

“When it was completed, I realized that more than 75 percent of all recorded black gospel music from 1945-1970 was lost,” Robert Darden said. “I wrote an editorial on how shameful that loss was that subsequently appeared in The New York Times. Charles M. Royce, President and CIO of Royce and Associates of New York, read the editorial and offered to fund what would become the BGMRP. Since then, I’ve worked closely with the Baylor Libraries to insure that his precious national resource is saved for all time.”

The BGMRP now has more than 5,500 songs digitized and catalogued. “A Black Gospel Christmas Jubilee” will feature a dozen of those songs, some unheard for more than 50 years.

“When people hear these passionate, emotional renditions of old Christmas carols, hymns and spirituals, it will set their hearts on fire,” Mary Darden said. “I don’t know anybody who doesn’t love this music once they’ve heard it.”

Having been featured on NPR programs throughout the year, KWBU-FM Station Manager Brodie Bashaw said "We are very happy to be the venue for this wonderful music to be heard in the community."

“A Black Gospel Christmas Jubilee” will have an encore broadcast December 24th at 3pm.